Compositions and methods for detecting nicking enzyme and polymerase activity using a substrate molecule

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compositions and methods for assaying the activity of nicking enzyme and polymerase in a reaction involving the use of a nucleic acid substrate molecule that detects nicking enzyme and polymerase extension activities by the release of a detectable reporter (e.g., a fluorophore).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the U.S. national phase application, pursuant to 35U.S.C. § 371, of PCT international application Ser. No.:PCT/US2016/014573, filed Jan. 25, 2016, designating the United Statesand published in English, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/110,237, filed Jan. 30, 2015. The entire contentof this application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nucleic acid amplification reactions may fail to react because thetarget nucleic acid is absent (true negative) or because specificamplification is inhibited (false negative). Thus, understanding thesource of reaction failure can impact the interpretation of a negativeresult. The use of a positive control can increase confidence that anegative result is a true negative by ruling out failure due to thereaction components. When nucleic amplification reactions are used as ameans of detecting an infectious agent, positive controls areparticularly useful for indicating that negative amplificationsrepresent truly negative specimens.

Accordingly, improved methods for accurate detection of target nucleicacid molecules are urgently required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compositions and methods for testing theactivity of nicking enzyme and polymerase in a reaction involving theuse of a nucleic acid substrate molecule that detects nicking enzyme andpolymerase extension activities by the release of a detectable reporter(e.g., a fluorophore).

In one aspect, the invention provides a substrate for a nicking andextension reaction including a nucleic acid duplex having a firstnucleic acid strand having a nicking enzyme recognition site and afluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the 3′ end; and asecond nucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexing withthe first strand and a quencher moiety covalently linked at the 5′ endor a nucleic acid duplex having a first nucleic acid strand having anicking enzyme recognition site and a quencher moiety covalently linkedat the 3′ end; and a second nucleic acid strand having a sequencecapable of duplexing with the first strand and a fluorescent detectablelabel covalently linked at the 5′ end.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of detecting nickingenzyme and polymerase activity in a reaction involving: contacting anucleic acid duplex with a nicking enzyme, the duplex having: a firstnucleic acid strand comprising a nicking enzyme recognition site and afluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the 3′ end; and asecond nucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexing withthe first strand and a quencher moiety at the 5′ end; or the duplexhaving: a first nucleic acid strand having a nicking enzyme recognitionsite and a quencher moiety covalently linked at the 3′ end; and a secondnucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexing with thefirst strand and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the5′ end; contacting the nicked duplex with a polymerase in the presenceof dNTPs; extending the polymerase, thereby displacing the portion ofthe first nucleic acid strand 3′ of the nick site covalently linked tothe fluorescent detectable label or quencher moiety; and detecting asignal from the fluorescent detectable label that is separated from thequencher, thereby detecting nicking enzyme and polymerase activity inthe reaction.

In still another aspect, the invention provides a method of amplifying aspecific product in a nicking amplification reaction involving:contacting a target nucleic acid molecule under substantially isothermalconditions with two or more primers, each of which specifically binds toa target nucleic acid molecule, in the presence of a polymerase, dNTPs,a nicking enzyme, and a duplex having: a first nucleic acid strandhaving a nicking enzyme recognition site and a fluorescent detectablelabel covalently linked at the 3′ end; and a second nucleic acid strandhaving a sequence capable of duplexing with the first strand and aquencher moiety at the 5′ end; or a duplex having: a first nucleic acidstrand having a nicking enzyme recognition site and a quencher moietycovalently linked at the 3′ end; and a second nucleic acid strand havinga sequence capable of duplexing with the first strand and a fluorescentdetectable label covalently linked at the 5′ end; generating ampliconscontaining at least a portion of said target nucleic acid molecule;nicking the duplex and extending the polymerase, thereby displacing theportion of the first nucleic acid strand 3′ of the nick site covalentlylinked to the fluorescent detectable label or quencher moiety; anddetecting a signal from the fluorescent detectable label that isseparated from the quencher, thereby detecting nicking enzyme andpolymerase activity in the reaction.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of detecting aspecific product in a nicking amplification reaction involving:contacting a target nucleic acid molecule under substantially isothermalconditions with two or more primers, each of which specifically binds toa target nucleic acid molecule, in the presence of a polymerase, dNTPs,a nicking enzyme, a detectable polynucleotide probe, and a duplexhaving: a first nucleic acid strand having a nicking enzyme recognitionsite and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the 3′ end;and a second nucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexingwith the first strand and a quencher moiety at the 5′ end; or a duplexhaving: a first nucleic acid strand having a nicking enzyme recognitionsite and a quencher moiety covalently linked at the 3′ end; and a secondnucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexing with thefirst strand and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the5′ end; generating amplicons containing at least a portion of saidtarget nucleic acid molecule; nicking the duplex and extending thepolymerase, thereby displacing the portion of the first nucleic acidstrand 3′ of the nick site covalently linked to the fluorescentdetectable label or quencher moiety; detecting a signal from thefluorescent detectable label that is separated from the quencher,thereby detecting nicking enzyme and polymerase activity in thereaction; and detecting a signal specific for oligonucleotide probehybridization to the target nucleic acid molecule or amplicon thereof,where the signal indicates the quantity of the target nucleic acidmolecule present in the sample or an amplicon thereof.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a kit for detectingnicking enzyme and polymerase activity in a reaction, the kit containinga substrate for a nicking and extension reaction including a nucleicacid duplex having: a first nucleic acid strand having a nicking enzymerecognition site and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked atthe 3′ end; and a second nucleic acid strand having a sequence capableof duplexing with the first strand and a quencher moiety at the 5′ end;or a nucleic acid duplex having: a first nucleic acid strand having anicking enzyme recognition site and a quencher moiety covalently linkedat the 3′ end; and a second nucleic acid strand having a sequencecapable of duplexing with the first strand and a fluorescent detectablelabel covalently linked at the 5′ end.

In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the substrate orduplex is between about 30 bp to about 2 kb in length, between about 100bp to about 1 kb in length, between about 100 to about 500 bp in length,between about 30 to about 200 bp in length, between about 30 to about 60bp in length, between about 35 to about 50 bp in length. In variousembodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the nucleic acid strands ofthe substrate or duplex are between about 30 to about 2000 nt in length,between about 100 to about 1000 nt in length, between about 100 to about500 nt in length, between about 30 to about 100 nt in length, betweenabout 30 to about 60 nt in length, between about 35 to about 50 nt inlength. In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, thelength of the nucleic acid strand 3′ of the nick site is about 25 nt,about 35 nt, about 40 nt or more. In various embodiments of any aspectdelineated herein, the length of the nucleic acid strand 5′ of the nicksite is 10 nt, about 15 nt, about 20 nt or more. In certain embodiments,the length of the nucleic acid strand 5′ of the nicking enzymerecognition site is about 10 nt, about 5 nt, about 3 nt or less. Inparticular embodiments, the length of the nucleic acid strand 5′ of thenicking enzyme recognition site is 4, 3, 2, or 1 nt. In variousembodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the first and secondnucleic acid strands are covalently linked.

In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the substratecomprises a modified nucleotide. In various embodiments of any aspectdelineated herein, the 3′ end of the second nucleic acid is modifiedwith a C3 spacer, dideoxy nucleotide, phosphorylation, dye, fluorophore,quencher, spacer, or linker. In various embodiments of any aspectdelineated herein, the first nucleic acid strand of the substrate orduplex is modified at one or more nucleotides at position 1, 5′ of thenick site (e.g., nick −1), at position 2, 5′ of the nick site (e.g.,nick −2), and at position 1, 3′ of the nick site (e.g., nick +1). Invarious embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the first nucleicacid strand of the substrate or duplex is modified at one or morenucleotides (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) between the nicking recognition siteand the nick site. In various embodiments of any aspect delineatedherein, the substrate is modified at one or more positions within thenicking enzyme recognition site. In various embodiments of any aspectdelineated herein, the modified nucleotide is a modified nucleotidecomprising a 2′-O-methyl, 2′-methoxyethoxy, 2′-fluoro, 2′-hydroxyl(RNA), 2′-allyl, 2′-O-[2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl], 4′-thio,4′-CH₂—O-2′-bridge, 4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′-bridge, and 2′-O—(N-methylcarbamate),methylation, biotinylation, nucleotide adduct, or a base analog.

In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the substrate orduplex has a fluorescent detectable label paired with a quencher moiety.In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the fluorescentdetectable label is FAM, TET, HEX, TAMRA, JOE, or ROX. In variousembodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the quencher moiety is 5′IOWA BLACK® RQ (5IabRQ), dabcyl, dabsyl, or a BLACK HOLE QUENCHER®dye.In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the substrate orduplex contains one or more pairs of a fluorescent detectable label andquencher moiety that are covalently linked (e.g., biotinylated) onopposite nucleic acid strands and internal to the duplex.

In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the reaction isperformed under substantially isothermal conditions. In variousembodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the reaction furthercomprises primers, probe, and/or target nucleic acid molecules. Invarious embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the nucleic acidstrands of the substrate or duplex have sequences that do not bind toother nucleic acid molecules present in the reaction. In variousembodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the fluorescent detectablelabel of the nucleic acid duplex and the fluorescent detectable label ofthe probe are different (e.g., FAM and CalRed). In various embodimentsof any aspect delineated herein, the detection of a signal from theduplex is used as a positive control. In various embodiments of anyaspect delineated herein, when the signal from the duplex reaches a setrelative fluorescence (RFU) indicates the end point of monitoring thenicking amplification reaction. In various embodiments of any aspectdelineated herein, the method involves the use of one or more nucleicacid duplexes or substrate that differ in their modifications.

In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, the firstnucleic acid strand of the substrate or duplex is nicked by a nickingenzyme. In various embodiments of any aspect delineated herein, thenicking enzyme is Nt.BstNBI, N.Bst9I, N.BstSEI, Nb.BbvCI, Nb.Bpu10I,Nb.BsmI, Nb.BsrDI, Nb.BtsI, Nt.AlwI, Nt.BbvCI, Nt.Bpu10I, Nt.BsmAI,Nt.BspD6I, Nt.BspQI, and Nt.CviPII. In various embodiments of any aspectdelineated herein, the first nucleic acid strand of the substrate orduplex is contacted with a polymerase. In various embodiments of anyaspect delineated herein, the polymerase is Bst DNA polymerase I, BsuDNA polymerase, Gst DNA polymerase I, and Gka DNA polymerase I. In otherembodiments, exemplary polymerases include, but are not limited to BST(large fragment), DNA polymerase I (E. coli), DNA polymerase I, Large(Klenow) fragment, Klenow fragment (3′-5′ exo-), T4 DNA polymerase, T7DNA polymerase, Deep VentR(exo-) DNA Polymerase, Deep VentR DNAPolymerase, DyNAzyme, High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase, Therminator,Therminator II DNA Polymerase, AmpliTherm DNA Polymerase, Taq DNApolymerase, Tth DNA polymerase, Tfl DNA polymerase, Tgo DNA polymerase,SP6 DNA polymerase, Tbr DNA polymerase, or active fragments thereof.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedetailed description, and from the claims.

DEFINITIONS

By “amplicon” is meant a polynucleotide generated during theamplification of a polynucleotide of interest. In one example, anamplicon is generated during a nicking amplification reaction.

By “amplification rate modifier” is meant an agent capable of affectingthe rate of polymerase extension.

By “base substitution” is meant a substituent of a nucleobase polymerthat does not cause significant disruption of the hybridization betweencomplementary nucleotide strands.

In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having”and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent lawand can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like; “consistingessentially of” or “consists essentially” likewise has the meaningascribed in U.S. Patent law and the term is open-ended, allowing for thepresence of more than that which is recited so long as basic or novelcharacteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presenceof more than that which is recited, but excludes prior art embodiments.

By “complementary” or “complementarity” is meant that a nucleic acid canform hydrogen bond(s) with another nucleic acid sequence by eithertraditional Watson-Crick or Hoogsteen base pairing. Complementary basepairing includes not only G-C and A-T base pairing, but also includesbase pairing involving universal bases, such as inosine. A percentcomplementarity indicates the percentage of contiguous residues in anucleic acid molecule that can form hydrogen bonds (e.g., Watson-Crickbase pairing) with a second nucleic acid sequence (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,or 10 nucleotides out of a total of 10 nucleotides in the firstoligonucleotide being based paired to a second nucleic acid sequencehaving 10 nucleotides represents 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%complementary respectively). To determine that a percent complementarityis of at least a certain percentage, the percentage of contiguousresidues in a nucleic acid molecule that can form hydrogen bonds (e.g.,Watson-Crick base pairing) with a second nucleic acid sequence iscalculated and rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g., 12, 13, 14,15, 16, or 17 nucleotides out of a total of 23 nucleotides in the firstoligonucleotide being based paired to a second nucleic acid sequencehaving 23 nucleotides represents 52%, 57%, 61%, 65%, 70%, and 74%,respectively; and has at least 50%, 50%, 60%, 60%, 70%, and 70%complementarity, respectively). As used herein, “substantiallycomplementary” refers to complementarity between the strands such thatthey are capable of hybridizing under biological conditions.Substantially complementary sequences have 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, oreven 100% complementarity. Additionally, techniques to determine if twostrands are capable of hybridizing under biological conditions byexamining their nucleotide sequences are well known in the art.

As used herein, “duplex” refers to a double helical structure formed bythe interaction of two single stranded nucleic acids. A duplex istypically formed by the pairwise hydrogen bonding of bases, i.e., “basepairing”, between two single stranded nucleic acids which are orientedantiparallel with respect to each other. Base pairing in duplexesgenerally occurs by Watson-Crick base pairing, e.g., guanine (G) forms abase pair with cytosine (C) in DNA and RNA, adenine (A) forms a basepair with thymine (T) in DNA, and adenine (A) forms a base pair withuracil (U) in RNA. Conditions under which base pairs can form includephysiological or biologically relevant conditions (e.g., intracellular:pH 7.2, 140 mM potassium ion; extracellular pH 7.4, 145 mM sodium ion).Furthermore, duplexes are stabilized by stacking interactions betweenadjacent nucleotides. As used herein, a duplex may be established ormaintained by base pairing or by stacking interactions. A duplex isformed by two complementary nucleic acid strands, which may besubstantially complementary or fully complementary. Single-strandednucleic acids that base pair over a number of bases are said to“hybridize.”

“Detect” refers to identifying the presence, absence or amount of theanalyte to be detected.

By “detectable moiety” is meant a composition that when linked to amolecule of interest renders the latter detectable, via spectroscopic,photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, or chemical means. Forexample, useful labels include radioactive isotopes, magnetic beads,metallic beads, colloidal particles, fluorescent dyes, electron-densereagents, enzymes (for example, as commonly used in an ELISA), biotin,digoxigenin, or haptens.

By “fragment” is meant a portion of a nucleic acid molecule. Thisportion contains, preferably, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%,70%, 80%, or 90% of the entire length of the reference nucleic acidmolecule or polypeptide. A fragment may contain 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40,50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 nucleotides.

By “hybridize” is meant to form a double-stranded molecule betweencomplementary polynucleotide sequences (e.g., a gene described herein),or portions thereof, under various conditions of stringency. (See, e.g.,Wahl, G. M. and S. L. Berger (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:399; Kimmel, A.R. (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:507). Hybridization occurs by hydrogenbonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteenhydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleobases. For example,adenine and thymine are complementary nucleobases that pair through theformation of hydrogen bonds.

By “isolated polynucleotide” is meant a nucleic acid (e.g., a DNA, RNA)that is free of the genes which, in the naturally-occurring genome ofthe organism from which the nucleic acid molecule of the invention isderived, flank the gene. The term therefore includes, for example, arecombinant DNA that is incorporated into a vector; into an autonomouslyreplicating plasmid or virus; or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote oreukaryote; or that exists as a separate molecule (for example, a cDNA ora genomic or cDNA fragment produced by PCR or restriction endonucleasedigestion) independent of other sequences. In addition, the termincludes an RNA molecule that is transcribed from a DNA molecule, aswell as a recombinant DNA that is part of a hybrid gene encodingadditional polypeptide sequence.

The terms “isolated,” “purified,” or “biologically pure” refer tomaterial that is free to varying degrees from components which normallyaccompany it as found in its native state. “Isolate” denotes a degree ofseparation from original source or surroundings. “Purify” denotes adegree of separation that is higher than isolation. A “purified” or“biologically pure” protein is sufficiently free of other materials suchthat any impurities do not materially affect the biological propertiesof the protein or cause other adverse consequences. That is, a nucleicacid or peptide of this invention is purified if it is substantiallyfree of cellular material, viral material, or culture medium whenproduced by recombinant DNA techniques, or chemical precursors or otherchemicals when chemically synthesized. Purity and homogeneity aretypically determined using analytical chemistry techniques, for example,polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or high performance liquidchromatography. The term “purified” can denote that a nucleic acid orprotein gives rise to essentially one band in an electrophoretic gel.For a protein that can be subjected to modifications, for example,phosphorylation or glycosylation, different modifications may give riseto different isolated proteins, which can be separately purified.

By “melting temperature (Tm)” is meant the temperature of a system inequilibrium where 50% of the molecular population is in one state and50% of the population is in another state. With regard to the nucleicacids of the invention, Tm is the temperature at which 50% of thepopulation is single-stranded and 50% is double-stranded (e.g.,intramolecularly or intermolecularly).

By “monitoring a reaction” is meant detecting the progress of areaction. In one embodiment, monitoring reaction progression involvesdetecting nicking activity, polymerase extension, and/or detecting thecompletion of an amplification reaction.

As used herein, “obtaining” as in “obtaining an agent” includessynthesizing, purchasing, or otherwise acquiring the agent.

As used herein, the term “nucleic acid” refers to deoxyribonucleotides,ribonucleotides, or modified nucleotides, and polymers thereof insingle- or double-stranded form. The term encompasses nucleic acidscontaining known nucleotide analogs or modified backbone residues orlinkages, which are synthetic, naturally occurring, and non-naturallyoccurring, which have similar binding properties as the referencenucleic acid, and which are metabolized in a manner similar to thereference nucleotides. Examples of such analogs include, withoutlimitation, 2′ modified nucleotides (e.g., 2′-O-methyl ribonucleotides,2′-F nucleotides).

As used herein, “modified nucleotide” refers to a nucleotide that hasone or more modifications to the nucleoside, the nucleobase, pentosering, or phosphate group. For example, modified nucleotides excluderibonucleotides containing adenosine monophosphate, guanosinemonophosphate, uridine monophosphate, and cytidine monophosphate anddeoxyribonucleotides containing deoxyadenosine monophosphate,deoxyguanosine monophosphate, deoxythymidine monophosphate, anddeoxycytidine monophosphate. Modifications include those naturallyoccurring that result from modification by enzymes that modifynucleotides, such as methyltransferases. Modified nucleotides alsoinclude synthetic or non-naturally occurring nucleotides. Synthetic ornon-naturally occurring modifications in nucleotides include those with2′ modifications, e.g., 2′-O-methyl, 2′-methoxyethoxy, 2′-fluoro,2′-hydroxyl (RNA), 2′-allyl, 2′-O-[2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl], 4′-thio,4′-CH₂—O-2′-bridge, 4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′-bridge, and 2′-O—(N-methylcarbamate)or those comprising base analogs.

By “nucleotide adduct” is meant a moiety that is bound covalently orotherwise fixed to a standard nucleotide base.

By “nicking agent” is meant a chemical entity capable of recognizing andbinding to a specific structure in double stranded nucleic acid moleculeand breaking a phosphodiester bond between adjoining nucleotides on asingle strand upon binding to its recognized specific structure, therebycreating a free 3′-hydroxyl group on the terminal nucleotide precedingthe nick site. In preferred embodiments, the 3′ end can be extended byan exonuclease deficient polymerase. Exemplary nicking agents includenicking enzymes, RNAzymes, DNAzymes, and transition metal chelators.

By “palindromic” is meant nucleic acid sequences that are identical orsubstantially identical when read from 5′ to 3′ on one strand or 5′ to3′ on the complementary strand. A perfect palindrome refers to asequence having two adjacent subsequences, such that when onesubsequence is read from the 5′ to 3′ direction, it is identical to theother subsequence read from the 3′ to 5′ direction.

By “polymerase-arresting molecule” is meant a moiety associated with apolynucleotide template/primer that prevents or significantly reducesthe progression of a polymerase on the polynucleotide template.Preferably, the moiety is incorporated into the polynucleotide. In onepreferred embodiment, the moiety prevents the polymerase fromprogressing on the template.

By “polymerase extension” is meant the forward progression of apolymerase that matches incoming monomers to their binding partners on atemplate polynucleotide.

As used herein, “primer-dimer” is meant a dimer of two monomeroligonucleotide primers. In the oligonucleotide primers of theinvention, the 5′ tail regions of monomer primers dimerize.

By “semi-quantitative” is meant providing an estimate of relativequantity based on an internal control.

By “specific product” is meant a polynucleotide product resulting fromthe hybridization of primer oligonucleotides to a complementary targetsequence and subsequent polymerase mediated extension of the targetsequence.

By “substantially isothermal condition” is meant at a single temperatureor within a narrow range of temperatures that does not varysignificantly. In one embodiment, a reaction carried out undersubstantially isothermal conditions is carried out at a temperature thatvaries by only about 1-5° C. (e.g., varying by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5degrees). In another embodiment, the reaction is carried out at a singletemperature within the operating parameters of the instrument utilized.

By “quantity threshold method” is meant providing an estimate ofquantity based on either exceeding or not exceeding in quantity acomparative standard.

By “reference” is meant a standard or control condition. As is apparentto one skilled in the art, an appropriate reference is where an elementis changed in order to determine the effect of the element.

By “subject” is meant a mammal, including, but not limited to, a humanor non-human mammal, such as a bovine, equine, canine, ovine, or feline.

By “target nucleic acid molecule” is meant a polynucleotide to beanalyzed. Such polynucleotide may be a sense or antisense strand of thetarget sequence. The term “target nucleic acid molecule” also refers toamplicons of the original target sequence.

Ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of thevalues within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understoodto include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from thegroup consisting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, theterm “or” is understood to be inclusive. Unless specifically stated orobvious from context, as used herein, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” areunderstood to be singular or plural.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, theterm “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in theart, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. About can beunderstood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%,0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear fromcontext, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the termabout.

The recitation of a listing of chemical groups in any definition of avariable herein includes definitions of that variable as any singlegroup or combination of listed groups. The recitation of an embodimentfor a variable or aspect herein includes that embodiment as any singleembodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portionsthereof.

Any compositions or methods provided herein can be combined with one ormore of any of the other compositions and methods provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1F depict the structure and mechanism of a nicking andextension reaction substrate. FIG. 1A depicts the structure of thenicking and extension reaction substrate molecule of the invention. FIG.1B depicts an oligonucleotide duplex having a nick site on one strandthat is 5′ to a detectable reporter molecule that is attached at the 3′end of the strand (e.g., covalently linked). In the example shown, thedetectable reporter is a fluorophore that is in proximity to a quencher,that is at the 5′ end of the opposite strand. When the two strands areannealed, the 3′ fluorophore (e.g., FAM, HEX) and quencher (e.g.,5IabRQ, BHQ-1) are near each other, and the fluorescent signal isquenched. FIG. 1C shows that the substrate molecule of the invention hasa nick enzyme recognition site and is nicked in the presence of anicking enzyme that binds at the site. FIG. 1D shows that the nickedsubstrate molecule of the invention has a free 3′ end at the nick, whichcan be contacted by a polymerase. FIG. 1E shows that the extension ofthe polymerase using the complementary strand as a template. Polymeraseextension displaces the portion of the strand 3′ of the nick site, whichis linked to the detectable reporter. The detectable reporter fluoresceswhen it is separated from the quencher. FIG. 1F shows that the productof the extension reaction is able to be nicked again. However, themolecule can be designed to prevent or minimize further rounds ofnicking and extension.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show that nicking and extension of the substratemolecule of the invention results in a linear rise in signal. FIG. 2A isa schematic showing a linear rise in signal from the substrate moleculeof the invention in the presence of a nicking enzyme and polymerase asthe reaction progresses. A linear rise is expected when the substratemolecule and/or its strands do not interact with any other reactioncomponents. For example, the 3′ end of any strand may be blocked by afluorophore or C3 spacer. FIG. 2B is a schematic showing the use of thesubstrate molecule of the invention as an exogenous control molecule ina nicking amplification reaction. The substrate molecule can be used asa control to show that a nicking enzyme and polymerase has activity in anicking amplification reaction. Reaction end points for a nickingamplification reaction can be set as the time at which the exogenouscontrol molecule reaches a set RFU (relative fluorescence unit). Forexample, this may be used to characterize an amplification signal aspositive or negative based on its time of detection.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a “longmer” substrate of the invention, which inone example can be used to study polymerase processivity. FIG. 3Adepicts the structure of the nicking and “longmer” substrate molecule ofthe invention. FIG. 3B depicts modifications and factors that can beused to study their effect on polymerase processivity.

FIG. 4 provides sequences used to test the effect of modifiednucleotides on the properties of the substrate molecule of theinvention. The oligonucleotide strand ExogContBOT that has a 5′ quencher5IabRQ (5′ IOWA BLACK® RQ) and was paired with each of theoligonucleotide strands having a 3′ fluorophore 36-FAM: vanilla (nomodified nucleotides), nick +2 (2′OMe at position 2, 5′ of nick site),nick +1 (2′OMe at position 1, 3′ of nick site), and nick +1 (2′OMe atposition 1, 5′ of nick site).

FIGS. 5A-5E depict the activity of the substrate molecules having theoligonucleotide strands described at FIG. 4 in the presence of nickingenzyme, at varying concentration, and polymerase. The results show thatthe reaction of the substrate molecule can be tuned using modifiednucleotides, the concentration of the substrate molecule relative to theamount of nickase, and/or the mixtures of differently modified substratemolecules. FIG. 5A is a graph depicting the activity of the substratemolecules having the oligonucleotide strands described at FIG. 4 in thepresence of 0.3 U/μl nicking enzyme. FIG. 5B is a graph depicting theactivity of the substrate molecules having the oligonucleotide strandsdescribed at FIG. 4 in the presence of 0.015 U/μl nicking enzyme. FIG.5C is a graph depicting the activity of the substrate molecules havingthe oligonucleotide strands described at FIG. 4 in the presence of 0.075U/μl nicking enzyme. FIG. 5D is a graph depicting the activity of thesubstrate molecules having the oligonucleotide strands described at FIG.4 in the presence of 0.00375 U/μl nicking enzyme. FIG. 5E is a graphdepicting the activity of the substrate molecules having theoligonucleotide strands described at FIG. 4 in the presence of 0.0188U/μl nicking enzyme.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict the graphs shown in FIGS. 4A-4E organized by theunmodified and modified oligonucleotide strands having 3′ fluorophore36-FAM. FIG. 6A depicts the reaction curves for a substrate moleculecomprising the oligonucleotide strand ExogContBOT that has a 5′ quencher5IabRQ and the vanilla oligonucleotide strand having a 3′ fluorophore36-FAM and no modified nucleotides. FIG. 6B depicts the reaction curvesfor a substrate molecule comprising the oligonucleotide strandExogContBOT that has a 5′ quencher 5IabRQ and the nick −2oligonucleotide strand having a 3′ fluorophore 36-FAM and a 2′OMe atposition 2, 5′ of nick site. FIG. 6C depicts the reaction curves for asubstrate molecule comprising the oligonucleotide strand ExogContBOTthat has a 5′ quencher 5IabRQ and the nick −1 oligonucleotide strandhaving a 3′ fluorophore 36-FAM and 2′OMe at position 1, 5′ of nicksite). FIG. 6D depicts the reaction curves for a substrate moleculecomprising the oligonucleotide strand ExogContBOT that has a 5′ quencher5IabRQ and the nick +1 oligonucleotide strand having a 3′ fluorophore36-FAM and 2′OMe at position 1, 3′ of nick site.

FIG. 7 depicts the results of a study to determine the effect of thelength of the oligonucleotide 5′ of the nicking recognition site in thesubstrate molecule. A graph of the reaction curves is shown forsubstrate molecules have the specified oligonucleotide pairs. Sequencesof the oligonucleotide strands of the substrate molecules are shownbelow the graph.

FIG. 8 depicts the results of a study to determine the effect of usingdifferent ratios of substrate molecules comprising unmodified andmodified nucleotides. A graph of the reaction curves is shown forreactions having the specified ratios of substrate molecules. Sequencesof the oligonucleotide strands of the unmodified and 2′OMe modifiedsubstrate molecules are shown below the graph. This shows that thereaction can be tuned to reach a desired threshold at a prespecifiedtime by using different ratios of different substrate molecules.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depicts the results of a study to determine the effectof positioning modified nucleotides at various positions within thesubstrate molecule. FIG. 9A is a graph of the reaction curves forreactions using the substrate molecules having the sequences shown belowthe graph (A-F). FIG. 9B is a graph of the reaction curves for reactionsusing the substrate molecules having the sequences shown below the graph(A-F).

FIG. 10 depicts the results of a study showing that the substratemolecule can be used to test nicking enzyme and/or polymerase.

FIG. 11 depicts finalized sequences for an exogenous/internal controlmolecule for use with a Salmonella assay based on a nickingamplification reaction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention features a nucleic acid substrate molecule for nicking andextension reactions having a quenched fluorophore, that is released andable to fluoresce by the activity of a nicking enzyme and polymerase onthe substrate. The substrate molecule of the invention can be added toexisting nicking amplification reactions, and thus be used as anexogenous control molecule in a nicking amplification reaction. In thisregard, the exogenous control molecule provides controls for both thenicking enzyme and polymerase enzyme activities that are present in anicking amplification reaction. Though running in parallel, theexogenous control reaction does not appreciably interfere with theprimary amplification reaction. For example, the exogenous control doesnot consume large quantities of the reaction components, such as dNTPs.The exogenous control can be designed to minimize the formation of 3′ends, which can lead to non-specific polymerase extension and backgroundinterference. As shown herein, the exogenous control molecule can alsobe ‘tuned’ to launch at a specific time. On its own, the substratemolecule of the invention can be used in an enzyme performance test orto check enzyme quality.

Nicking and Extension Substrate Molecule

The invention provides a nicking and extension substrate molecule thatcan be used to test or confirm nicking enzyme and polymerase activitiesin a reaction. With reference to FIGS. 1A-1E, the substrate moleculecomprises an oligonucleotide duplex labeled at one end with a detectablereporter (e.g., fluorophore-quencher pairs; donor-acceptor pair forfluorescence energy transfer (FRET)). In some embodiments, the twooligonucleotide strands are covalently linked. The oligonucleotideduplex contains a nicking enzyme recognition site such that when themolecule is nicked, the 3′ end exposed by the nick can drive polymeraseextension which results in activation of the detectable reporter. Inparticular embodiments, the detectable reporter is a fluorescentreporter (e.g., FAM) paired with a quencher molecule (e.g., anyinteracting fluorophore and quencher pair or FRET donor-acceptor pairknown in the art). The fluorescent reporter is activated by the stranddisplacement activity of the polymerase and separation of thefluorophore from the quencher. The fluorescent reporter is covalentlylinked to either the 3′ or 5′ end of the oligonucleotide duplex, and thequencher is covalently linked to the 5′ or 3′ end, respectively, of theopposite strand. In certain embodiments, the fluorophore is one or moreor FAM, TET, HEX, TAMRA, JOE, or ROX. In various embodiments, thequencher is one or more of dabcyl, dabsyl, or a dark quencher dye withan absorbance range across the visible spectrum (BLACK HOLEQUENCHER®dye), including a 5′ dark quencher dye with an orange-redabsorbance visual spectral range (IOWA BLACK® RQ (5IabRQ) dye). Ingeneral, the quenching dye is an excitation matched quenching dye.Fluorophore-quencher pairs and their selection are described for examplein Marras, Selection of Fluorophore and Quencher Pairs for FluorescentNucleic Acid Hybridization Probes in Methods in Molecular Biology:Fluorescent Energy Transfer Nucleic Acid Probes: Designs and Protocols.Edited by: V.V. Didenko© Humana Press Inc., Totowa, N.J. When thenicking and extension substrate is used as an exogenous control, thedetectable fluorescent marker is selected to provide a differentdetectable fluorescent signal from that used in the probe for detectingtarget nucleic acid amplification (e.g., FAM and CalRed). In a preferredembodiment, the free 3′ end (i.e., not having the fluorescent reporteror quencher) is blocked to prevent its use in polymerase extensionreactions. The free 3′ may be blocked using a 3 carbon spacer(C3-spacer) or dideoxynucleotide. A number of modifications can be addedat the free 3′ end during synthesis that prevent extension, includingphosphorylation, dye, fluorophore, quencher, spacer, or linker.

The nicking and extension substrate may contain the nicking enzymerecognition site of any nicking enzyme. The nicking enzyme recognitionsite is positioned such that extension from the 3′ end exposed by thenick results in polymerase extension and activation of the detectablereporter. When used as an exogenous control molecule, the nicking enzymerecognition site will be that of the nicking enzyme used in the nickingamplification reaction. Exemplary nicking enzymes include, but are notlimited to, N.Bst9I, N.BstSEI, Nb.BbvCI(NEB), Nb. Bpu10I(Fermantas),Nb.BsmI(NEB), Nb.BsrDI(NEB), Nb.BtsI(NEB), Nt.AlwI(NEB), Nt.BbvCI(NEB),Nt.Bpu10I(Fermentas), Nt.BsmAI, Nt.BspD6I, Nt.BspQI(NEB),Nt.BstNBI(NEB), and Nt.CviPII(NEB). Sequences of nicking enzymerecognition sites are provided at Table 1.

TABLE 1 Nicking enzyme recognition sequences N.Bst9I 5′-GAGTCNNNNN↓NN-3′   |||||||||| || 3′-CTCAGNNNNN·NN-5′ N.BstSEI 5′-GAGTNCNNNN↓NN-3′   |||||||||| || 3′-CTCAGNNNNN·NN-5′ Nb.BbvCI(NEB) 5′-CCTCA·GC-3′   ||||| || 3′-GGAGT↑CG-5′ Nb.Bpu10I(Fermantas) 5′-CCTNA·GC-3′    ||||||| 3′-GGANT↑CG-5′ Nb.BsmI(NEB) 5′-GAATG·CN-3′    ||||| || 3′-CTTAC↑GN-5′Nb.BsrDI(NEB) 5′-GCAATG·NN-3′    |||||| || 3′-CGTTAC↑NN-5′ Nb.BtsI(NEB)5′-GCAGTG·NN-3′    |||||| || 3′-CGTCAC↑NN-5′ Nt.AlwI(NEB)5′-GGATCNNNN↓N-3′    ||||||||| | 3′-CCTAGNNNN·N-5′ Nt.BbvCI(NEB)5′-CC↓TCAGC-3′    || ||||| 3′-GG·AGTCG-5′ Nt.Bpu10I(Fermentas)5′-CC↓TNAGC-3′    || ||||| 3′-GG·ANTCG-5′ Nt.BsmAI 5′-GTCTCN↓N-3′   |||||| | 3′-CAGAGN·N-5′ Nt.BspD6I 5′-GAGTCNNNN↓N-3′    ||||||||| |3′-CTCAGNNNN·N-5′ Nt.BspQI(NEB) 5′-GCTCTTCN↓-3′    ||||||||3′-CGAGAAGN -5′ Nt.BstNBI(NEB) 5′-GAGTCNNNN↓N-3′    ||||||||| |3′-CTCAGNNNN·N-5′ Nt.CviPII(NEB) 5′-↓CCD-3′     ||| 3′- GGH-5′In particular embodiments, the nicking enzyme recognition site isNt.BstNBI for use with the nicking enzyme Nt.BstNBI, which is commonlyused in nicking amplification reactions.

The length and nucleic sequence of the nicking and extension substratemolecule may depend on a variety of factors, including its intended use.The length of the substrate molecule is limited only by the length ofpolynucleotides that can be synthesized by current technologies.However, for some applications like its use as an exogenous reactioncontrol, the length of the substrate may be minimized to make availablefree dNTPs or other reaction components for nucleic acid amplification.In other applications like its use in studying polymerase processivity,a longer substrate may be used. In various embodiments, the length ofthe nucleotide duplex is between about 30 bp to about 2 kb in length,between about 100 bp to about 1 kb in length, between about 100 to about500 bp in length. In other embodiments, the lengths of thepolynucleotides of the duplex are between about 30 to about 2000 nt inlength, between about 100 to about 1000 nt in length, between about 100to about 500 nt in length. In various embodiments, the length of theoligonucleotide duplex is between about 30 to about 100 bp in length,between about 30 to about 60 bp in length, between about 35 to about 50bp in length. In other embodiments, the lengths of the oligonucleotidesof the duplex are between about 30 to about 100 nt in length, betweenabout 30 to about 60 nt in length, between about 35 to about 50 nt inlength. Likewise, the sequences of the substrate molecule are selectedto minimize interference with the sequences of other nucleic acidmolecules that may be in the reaction including target nucleic acidsequences, primer sequences, probe sequences, and/or non-specificbackground sequences (e.g., genomic sequences in a biological sample).

The placement of the nicking enzyme recognition site and/or the nickingenzyme site in the substrate molecule depends on a variety of factors,including the nicking enzyme itself. For example, when the nickingenzyme Nt.BstNBI is used, which generates a nick 3′ downstream of itsenzyme recognition site, the portion of the oligonucleotide strand 3′ ofthe nick has a duplex melting temperature higher than the highestreaction temperature. The length of the portion of the oligonucleotidestrand 3′ of the nick is about 25 nt, about 35 nt, about 40 nt or more.Thus, signal generation is coupled to strand displacement by thepolymerase.

The length of the portion of the oligonucleotide strand 5′ of the nickis about 10 nt, about 15 nt, about 20 nt or more. When the length of theportion of the oligonucleotide strand 5′ of the nick has a duplexmelting temperature lower than the reaction temperature, polymeraseextension off the free 3′ end is minimized. For example, the sequence ofthe region 5′ of the nick site can be designed to be unstable at thereaction temperature such that it dissociates, preventing extension fromthe free 3′ end. Alternatively, such ‘shortmers’ can be designed toself-bind and ‘closeout’ a reaction. It has also been found that thesubstrate molecule has activity when one or more nucleotides are present5′ to the Nt.BstNBI enzyme recognition site. One to about 10nucleotides, two to about 5 nucleotides, may be present 5′ to theNt.BstNBI enzyme recognition site. Shortening the oligonucleotide strand5′ of the nicking enzyme recognition site changes the reaction rate andprovides reaction tunability.

Placement of 2′OMe modified nucleotides in the substrate moleculebetween the nicking enzyme recognition site and the nick site can alterthe reaction rate of the substrate reaction. In some embodiments, thefirst nucleic acid strand is modified at one or more nucleotides atpositions 1 or 2, 5′ of the nick site, and position 1, 3′ of the nicksite. With reference to a duplex comprising a Nt.BstNB1 recognition andnick site, the description of the positions correspond to the numbering(position 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) and directionality (5′ or 3′) as shownbelow:

positions 5′ positions 3′ of nick site of nick site      ...4321 1234...        ↓↓↓↓ ↓↓↓↓ 5′-GAGTCNNNN▾NNNNN-3′    ||||||||| |||||3′-CTCAGNNNN·NNNNN-5′Placement of 2′OMe modified nucleotides in the substrate molecule can beused to ‘tune’ the reaction (i.e., the reaction rate). One or more ofthe nucleotides between the nicking enzyme recognition site and the nicksite of Nt.BstNBI may be a 2′OMe modified nucleotide. In particularembodiments, the one or more 2′OMe modified nucleotides are positionedat one or more of positions 1 and 2 5′ of the nick site and/or atposition 1 3′ of the nick site.

Reaction tunability may also be achieved using modified nucleotides,branched nucleotides (i.e. T-fam), or any nucleotide which affects thereaction kinetics, including by placing modified nucleotides in thenicking sequence strand; placing modified nucleotides opposite thenicking sequence strand. Reaction tunability may also be achieved bymixing one or more unmodified or modified substrate molecules (e.g.,tuning with top/bottom oligo ratios) and/or molarity of nicking enzymerelative to substrate molecule concentration.

Methods of Using the Substrate Molecule

The nicking and enzyme substrate molecule can be used to determine thenicking enzyme and polymerase activity in a reaction. On its own, thesubstrate molecule can be used to evaluate combinations of nickingenzymes and polymerases, used to identify optimal working conditions ofnicking enzymes and polymerases, or check nicking enzyme and polymerasequality. Polymerases for use in the methods described herein are capableof catalyzing the incorporation of nucleotides to extend a 3′ hydroxylterminus of an oligonucleotide (e.g., a primer) bound to a targetnucleic acid molecule and/or a 3′ hydroxyl terminus at a nick site in adouble-stranded DNA molecule in conjunction with strand displacementactivity. Exemplary polymerases include, but are not limited to,derivatives and variants of the DNA polymerase I isolated from Bacillusstearothermophilus, also classified as Geobacillus stearothermophilus,and from closely related bacterial strains, isolates and speciescomprising the genus Geobacillus, which lack or have substantiallyreduced 5′-3′ exonuclease activity and have strand-displacement activityand the large fragments of Bst DNA polymerase I, Bsu DNA polymerase, GstDNA polymerase I, and Gka DNA polymerase I, and phi29 DNA polymerase.Such polymerases also lack or have substantially reduced 5′-3′exonuclease activity and may include those that are thermophilic (e.g.,Taq, Vent). In this regard, the invention also provides a means toquantify the unit activity of combinations of nicking enzymes andpolymerases. Additionally, the substrate molecule of the invention maybe used to study the processivity of a polymerase under variousconditions, including for example, DNA methylation or in the presence ofDNA adducts/damage products (e.g., acetaldehyde, cisplatin,7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene, malondialdehyde, products of base excisionrepair, oxidative damage products, benzopyrene, aflatoxin, other DNAreactive compounds) and/or DNA binding proteins (FIGS. 3A and 3B).Additionally, for studying processivity one or more fluorophore-quencherpairs, including different, multiple fluorophores, may be covalentlylinked (e.g., biotinylated) internally within the duplex (FIG. 3A). Forexample, 1-5 fluorophores may be used, one per channel, biotinylated orattached by direct labeling (e.g., succinimidyl esters). One or moreoverlapping quenchers may be paired on the opposite strand. In somecases, an overlapping quencher covers a broad area of the spectrum andcan be paired with multiple, different fluorophores. Thus, the substratemolecule of the invention may be modified and the effect of themodifications on polymerase extension and/or processivity be examined.

The substrate molecule of the invention can also be added to existingnicking amplification reactions, and thus be used as an exogenouscontrol molecule in a nicking amplification reaction, for example toverify a true negative reaction. Accordingly, the exogenous controlmolecule is used at the same reaction temperatures as that for thenicking amplification reaction. The mere presence or absence of signalmay be used as a reaction control. Additionally, the time at which theexogenous control reaction reaches a set RFU may signal the end point ofa reaction. The exogenous control molecule can also be ‘tuned’ to aspecific reaction rate, thus altering the time to reach a set RFU. Whenthe exogenous control reaction runs in the same reaction as a nickingamplification reaction, it does not appreciably interfere with theprimary amplification reaction. The exogenous control does not consumeappreciable quantities of the reaction components, such as dNTPs orother reagents. Further, the exogenous control can be designed tominimize the formation of 3′ ends, which can lead to non-specificpolymerase extension and background interference.

Nucleic Acid Amplification Methods

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a common thermal cyclingdependent nucleic acid amplification technology used to amplify DNAconsisting of cycles of repeated heating and cooling of the reaction forDNA melting and enzymatic replication of the DNA using a DNA polymerase.Real-Time quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a technique used to quantify thenumber of copies of a given nucleic acid sequence in a biologicalsample. Currently, qPCR utilizes the detection of reaction products inreal-time throughout the reaction and compares the amplification profileto the amplification of controls which contain a known quantity ofnucleic acids at the beginning of each reaction (or a known relativeratio of nucleic acids to the unknown tested nucleic acid). The resultsof the controls are used to construct standard curves, typically basedon the logarithmic portion of the standard reaction amplificationcurves. These values are used to interpolate the quantity of theunknowns based on where their amplification curves compared to thestandard control quantities.

In addition to PCR, non-thermal cycling dependent amplification systemsor isothermal nucleic acid amplification technologies exist including,without limitation: Nicking Amplification Reaction, Rolling CircleAmplification (RCA), Helicase-Dependent Amplification (HDA),Loop-Mediated Amplification (LAMP), Strand Displacement Amplification(SDA), Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA), Self-SustainedSequence Replication (3SR), Nucleic Acid Sequence Based Amplification(NASBA), Single Primer Isothermal Amplification (SPIA), Q-β ReplicaseSystem, and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA).

Isothermal nicking amplification reactions have similarities to PCRthermocycling. Like PCR, nicking amplification reactions employoligonucleotide sequences which are complementary to a target sequencesreferred to as primers. In addition, nicking amplification reactions oftarget sequences results in a logarithmic increase in the targetsequence, just as it does in standard PCR. Unlike standard PCR, thenicking amplification reactions progress isothermally. In standard PCR,the temperature is increased to allow the two strands of DNA toseparate. In nicking amplification reactions, the target nucleic acidsequence is nicked at specific nicking sites present in a test sample.The polymerase infiltrates the nick site and begins complementary strandsynthesis of the nicked target nucleotide sequence (the added exogenousDNA) along with displacement of the existing complimentary DNA strand.The strand displacement replication process obviates the need forincreased temperature. At this point, primer molecules anneal to thedisplaced complementary sequence from the added exogenous DNA. Thepolymerase now extends from the 3′ end of the template, creating acomplementary strand to the previously displaced strand. The secondoligonucleotide primer then anneals to the newly synthesizedcomplementary strand and extends making a duplex of DNA which includesthe nicking enzyme recognition sequence. This strand is then liable tobe nicked with subsequent strand displacement extension by thepolymerase, which leads to the production of a duplex of DNA which hasnick sites on either side of the original target DNA. Once this issynthesized, the molecule continues to be amplified exponentiallythrough replication of the displaced strands with new templatemolecules. In addition, amplification also proceeds linearly from eachproduct molecule through the repeated action of the nick translationsynthesis at the template introduced nick sites. The result is a veryrapid increase in target signal amplification; much more rapid than PCRthermocycling, with amplification results in less than ten minutes.

Nicking Amplification Assays

The invention provides a substrate molecule for use with the detectionof target nucleic acid molecules amplified in an isothermal nickingamplification assay. Such assays are known in the art and describedherein. See, for example, US Patent Application Publication2009/0081670, PCT Application 2009/012246, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,112,423and 7,282,328, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

Polymerases useful in the methods described herein are capable ofcatalyzing the incorporation of nucleotides to extend a 3′ hydroxylterminus of an oligonucleotide (e.g., a primer) bound to a targetnucleic acid molecule and/or a 3′ hydroxyl terminus at a nick site in adouble-stranded DNA molecule in conjunction with strand displacementactivity. Such polymerases also lack or have substantially reduced 5′-3′exonuclease activity and may include those that are thermophilic. DNApolymerases useful in methods involving primers having 2′-modifiednucleotides in the primer region comprising the six 3′-terminalnucleotides include derivatives and variants of the DNA polymerase Iisolated from Bacillus stearothermophilus, also classified asGeobacillus stearothermophilus, and from closely related bacterialstrains, isolates and species comprising the genus Geobacillus, whichlack or have substantially reduced 5′-3′ exonuclease activity and havestrand-displacement activity. Exemplary polymerases include, but are notlimited to, the large fragments of Bst DNA polymerase I, Bsu DNApolymerase, phi29 DNA polymerase, Gst DNA polymerase I, and Gka DNApolymerase I. In other embodiments, exemplary polymerases include, butare not limited to BST (large fragment), DNA polymerase I (E. coli), DNApolymerase I, Large (Klenow) fragment, Klenow fragment (3′-5′ exo-), T4DNA polymerase, T7 DNA polymerase, Deep VentR(exo-) DNA Polymerase, DeepVentR DNA Polymerase, DyNAzyme, High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase,Therminator, Therminator II DNA Polymerase, AmpliTherm DNA Polymerase,Taq DNA polymerase, Tth DNA polymerase, Tfl DNA polymerase, Tgo DNApolymerase, SP6 DNA polymerase, Tbr DNA polymerase.

A nicking agent useful in methods described herein is a chemical entitycapable of recognizing and binding to a specific structure in doublestranded nucleic acid molecules and breaking a phosphodiester bondbetween adjoining nucleotides on the top strand with a substantiallyhigher rate than breaking the phosphodiester bond between adjoiningnucleotides on the bottom strand upon binding to its recognized specificstructure, thereby creating a free 3′-hydroxyl group on the terminalnucleotide preceding the nick site that can be extended by a5′-3′-exonuclease deficient strand displacement polymerase. In apreferred embodiment of the methods disclosed herein, the top strandphosphodiester bond cleavage rate of the “nicking agent” approaches100%, while the cleavage rate of the bottom strand phosphodiester bondapproaches 0%. Nicking agents useful in methods described herein, caneither be enzymes, i.e self-regenerating catalysts turning over multiplesubstrate molecules, or non-regenerating catalysts turning over just asingle substrate molecule at an equimolar ratio fashion.

A nicking enzyme binds double-stranded DNA and cleaves one strand of adouble-stranded duplex. In the methods of the invention, the nickingenzyme cleaves the top stand (the strand comprising the 5′-3′ sequenceof the nicking agent recognition site). In a particular embodiment ofthe invention disclosed herein, the nicking enzyme cleaves the topstrand only and 3′ downstream of the recognition site. In exemplaryembodiments, the reaction comprises the use of a nicking enzyme thatcleaves or nicks downstream of the binding site such that the productsequence does not contain the nicking site. Using an enzyme that cleavesdownstream of the binding site allows the polymerase to more easilyextend without having to displace the nicking enzyme. Ideally, thenicking enzyme is functional under the same reaction conditions as thepolymerase. Exemplary nicking enzymes include, but are not limited to,N.Bst9I, N.BstSEI, Nb.BbvCI(NEB), Nb.Bpu10I(Fermantas), Nb.BsmI(NEB),Nb.BsrDI(NEB), Nb.BtsI(NEB), Nt.AlwI(NEB), Nt.BbvCI(NEB),Nt.Bpu10I(Fermentas), Nt.BsmAI, Nt.BspD6I, Nt.BspQI(NEB),Nt.BstNBI(NEB), and Nt.CviPII(NEB). Sequences of nicking enzymerecognition sites are provided at Table 1.

Nicking enzymes also include engineered nicking enzymes created bymodifying the cleavage activity of restriction endonucleases (NEBexpressions July 2006, vol 1.2). when restriction endonucleases bind totheir recognition sequences in DNA, two catalytic sites within eachenzyme for hydrolyzing each strand drive two independent hydrolyticreactions which proceed in parallel. Altered restriction enzymes can beengineered that hydrolyze only one strand of the duplex, to produce DNAmolecules that are “nicked” (3′-hydroxyl, 5′-phosphate), rather thancleaved. Nicking enzymes may also include modified CRISPR/Cas proteins,Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), andZinc-finger nucleases having nickase activity.

A nicking amplification reaction typically comprises nucleotides, suchas, for example, dideoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs). Thereaction may also be carried out in the presence of dNTPs that comprisea detectable moiety including but not limited to a radiolabel (e.g.,³²P, ³³P, ¹²⁵I, ³⁵S) an enzyme (e.g., alkaline phosphatase), afluorescent label (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)), biotin,avidin, digoxigenin, antigens, haptens, or fluorochromes. The reactionfurther comprises certain salts and buffers that provide for theactivity of the nicking enzyme and polymerase.

Advantageously, the nicking amplification reaction is carried out undersubstantially isothermal conditions where the temperature of thereaction is more or less constant during the course of the amplificationreaction. Because the temperature does not need to be cycled between anupper temperature and a lower temperature, the nicking amplificationreaction can be carried out under conditions where it would be difficultto carry out conventional PCR. Typically, the reaction is carried out atabout between 35 C and 90 C (e.g., about 35, 37, 42, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75,80, or 85° C.). Advantageously, it is not essential that the temperaturebe maintained with a great degree of precision. Some variability intemperature is acceptable.

Sets of primers for amplification reactions are selected as havingΔΔG's≤−15, −16, 17, −18, −19, −20, −25, −30 kcal/mole or more. Theperformance characteristics of amplification reactions may be altered byincreasing the concentration of one or more oligonucleotides (e.g., oneor more primers and/or probes) and/or their ratios. High concentrationsof primers also favor primer-dimer formation. In various embodiments,concentration of a primers is 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800,900, 1000 nM or more. Melt temperature (Tm) and reaction rate modifiersmay also be used to lower the melting temperature of theoligonucleotides, such as (but not limited to) ethylene glycol andglycerol. In addition, DNA polymerase reaction rate modifiers (such asdNTP and magnesium concentration) may be used to alter the reaction rateto lead to a greater quantification precision. In particularembodiments, the 5′ tail sequences of the forward and reverse primershave the same nucleic acid sequence.

This invention provides methods of monitoring a nicking amplificationreaction in real time. In one embodiment, quantitative nucleic acidamplification utilizes target nucleic acids amplification alongside acontrol amplification of known quantity. The amount of target nucleicacid can be calculated as an absolute quantification or a relativequantification (semi-quantitative) based on the source of the control(exogenous or endogenous control).

Quantification of the unknown nucleotide sequence can be achieved eitherthrough comparison of logarithmic threshold amplification of the unknownto a series of known target sequences in either a separate set ofreactions or in the same reaction; or as an internal endogenous orexogenous co-amplification product which produces a threshold value,indicative of either a positive result (if the unknown exceeds thethreshold) or negative result (if the unknown does not exceed thethreshold).

The invention also provides a method of designing a nickingagent-dependent isothermal strand-displacement amplification assaywithout experimental screening of a multitude of combinations ofcandidate forward primers and/or candidate reverse primers. A 35 to 70bp long region within the target sequence is identified having a 12 to20 bp sequence in the central portion with a Tm≥the assay temperature(e.g., ˜55° C.). Adjacent sequences 12 bp to 20 bp long immediatelydownstream and upstream of the 15 to 20 bp long central region areidentified, according to the above criteria. The Tm of the chosen doublestranded downstream and upstream adjacent sequences deviate from eachother by less than ±3° C. A target-specific pair of forward and reverseprimers are created by attaching a 5′-tail region for a stabledimer-forming primer to the 5′-terminus of the 12-20 base upstreamadjacent sequence and to the 5′-terminus of the complementary strand ofthe 12-20 base downstream adjacent sequence. When combining the forwardprimer, reverse primer, and a probe, the primer driving the synthesis ofthe strand complementary to the probe is in excess over the other primerat a molar ratio of about 1.1:1 to 10:1. The combined concentration of aprimer in the assay is no higher than 1000 nM. The assay design methodcan also be used to convert a pre-validated PCR assay for an amplicon≤70 bp to an nicking agent-dependent isothermal strand-displacementamplification assay.

Primer Design

Conventional methods for primer design have focused on primer meltingtemperature, primer annealing temperature, GC (guaninine and cytosine)content, primer length, and minimizing interactions of the primer withall but the target nucleic acid (see e.g.,www.premierbiosoft.com/tech_notes/PCR_Primer_Design.html). Contrary tothese methods, it has been found that primers that form stableprimer/dimers, expressed in terms of free energy of formation (ΔG),function predictably in nucleic acid amplification reactions. While FreeEnergy (ΔG) and Melting Temperature (Tm) share primary componentsEnthalpy (ΔH) and Entropy (ΔS), ΔG and Tm values are derived differentlyand have no correlative relationship, and the only way to relate a givenΔG with a given Tm value is to explicitly know the value of ΔH and ΔSfrom which they are derived (Manthey, “mFold, Delta G, and MeltingTemperature” ©2005 and 2011 Integrated DNA Technologies). FIGS. 1-11relate to the design of optimal primers.

The free energy of formation (ΔG) for intermolecular primer structuresmay be calculated using formulas known in the art. A number of programsare available for determining the formation of various intramolecularand intermolecular primer structures and calculating their ΔG's,including for example mfold and UNAfold prediction algorithms (see e.g.,Markham and Zuker. UNAFold: Software for Nucleic Acid Folding andHybridization. Bioinformatics: Volume 2, Chapter 1, pp 3-31, HumanaPress Inc., 2008; Zuker et al. Algorithms and Thermodynamics for RNASecondary Structure Prediction: A Practical Guide In RNA Biochemistryand Biotechnology, 11-43, NATO ASI Series, Kluwer Academic Publishers,1999; M. Zuker. Prediction of RNA Secondary Structure by EnergyMinimization. Methods in Molecular Biology, 267-294, 1994; Jaeger et al.Predicting Optimal and Suboptimal Secondary Structure for RNA. InMolecular Evolution: Computer Analysis of Protein and Nucleic AcidSequences, Methods in Enzymology 183, 281-306, 1990; Zuker. On FindingAll Suboptimal Foldings of an RNA Molecule. Science 244, 48-52, 1989).OligoAnalyzer 3.1 is one such implementation of mfold for primer design(www.idtdna.com/analyzer/Applications/OligoAnalyzer/). For example withreference to OligoAnalyzer 3.1, ΔG calculations may be performed usingthe following parameters: Target Type: DNA; Oligo Concentration 0.25 μM;Na⁺ Concentration: 60 mM; Mg⁺⁺ Concentration: 15 mM; and dNTPsConcentration: 0.3 mM.

3′ Recognition Region

The invention provides a primer having a 3′ recognition sequence whoseprimer-target formation is stable (ΔG about −20 kcal/mol or more) andhas the potential to enhance nucleic acid amplification reactionperformance. The 3′ recognition region specifically binds to the anucleic acid molecule, for example a complementary sequence of thenucleic acid molecule. In certain embodiments, the 3′ recognition regionhas a sequence that is complementary to 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,or 20 bases or more of a nucleic acid sequence. In particularembodiments, the 3′ recognition region comprises one or more inosinebases. In specific embodiments, the 3′ recognition region comprises nomore than 2/12 inosines. In various embodiments, the primer-targetmelting temperature is equal to or greater than 8° or 6° C. below thereaction or extension temperature of the assay (Tm≥assay temperature−8°). In particular embodiments, the 3′ recognition sequence comprises12-20, 12-17, or 12-14 bases. In particular embodiments, theprimer-target formation is more stable than self dimer formation (e.g.,ΔΔG about −15, −16, −17, −18, −19, −20 kcal/mol or more). Preferably,the 3′ recognition sequence does not contain self-complementarysequences, short inverted repeats (e.g., >4 bases/repeat), or sequencesthat otherwise promote intramolecular interactions, which have thepotential to interfere with primer-target annealing.

In one embodiment, a primer is designed having a Tm of 56° C. with 4sequence specific bases at the end of the primer that may not contributeto annealing. In one embodiment, the primer is a 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or21-mer.

In particular, a primer of the invention having a 3′ recognitionsequence is useful in nicking amplification assays. Additionally, thetarget specific 3′ recognition region comprises one or more 2′ modifiednucleotides (e.g., 2′-O-methyl, 2′-methoxyethoxy, 2′-fluoro, 2′-alkyl,2′-allyl, 2′-O-[2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl], 2′-hydroxyl (RNA), 4′-thio,4′-CH₂—O-2′-bridge, 4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′-bridge, and2′-O—(N-methylcarbamate)). Without being bound to theory, it ishypothesized that incorporating one or more 2′ modified nucleotides inthe recognition regions reduces or eliminates intermolecular and/orintramolecular interactions of primers/templates (e.g., primer-dimerformation), and, thereby, reduces or eliminates the background signal inisothermal amplification. The 2′ modified nucleotide preferably has abase that base pairs with the target sequence. In particularembodiments, two or more 2′ modified nucleotides (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 ormore 2′ modified nucleotides) in the target specific recognition regionare contiguous (e.g., a block of modified nucleotides). In someembodiments, the block of 2′ modified nucleotides is positioned at the3′ end of the target specific recognition region. In other embodiments,the block of 2′ modified nucleotides is positioned at the 5′ end of thetarget specific recognition region. When the block of 2′ modifiednucleotides is positioned at the 5′ end of the target specificrecognition region, the 2′ modified nucleotides may be separated fromthe nick site by one or more non-modified nucleotides (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5or more 2′ unmodified nucleotides). Applicants have found thatpositioning of one or more 2′ modified nucleotides or of a block of 2′modified nucleotides alters the kinetics of amplification. When the oneor more 2′ modified nucleotides or block of 2′ modified nucleotides arepositioned at or near the 5′ end of the recognition region or proximalto the nick site, real-time amplification reactions showed decreasedtime to detection. Additionally, the signal curve is contracted and theslope of the curve shifted.

In a related embodiment, ratios of a primer having one or more 2′modified nucleotides can be used to alter the time-to-detection and/orthe efficiency of the reaction for the ‘tuning’ of reactions, resultingin a predictable control over reaction kinetics. Increasing the ratio ofprimer having one or more 2′ modified nucleotides at the 3′ end of therecognition sequence to primer having one or more 2′ modifiednucleotides at the 5′ end of the recognition sequence contracted thesignal curve and shifted the slope of the curve. It is advantageous tobe able to “tune” a reaction providing a means to manipulate both thetime-to-detection as well as the efficiency of the reaction. Relativequantification using an internal control requires that two importantconditions be met. First, it is beneficial to be able to modify areaction's time-to-detection creating a non-competitive reactioncondition. Thus, by affecting the control reaction to be detectable at alater time-point (relative to the target of interest) the controlreaction does not out-compete the specific target of interest even whenthe target of interest is in low initial abundance. Second, to ensure atrue relative abundance calculation, it is required that the control andspecific target reactions have matched efficiencies. By controlling theefficiency of each reaction using a “tuning” condition enables reactionsto be matched allowing for satisfactory relative quantificationcalculations. Tuning the reactions can be used to match efficiencies oftarget nucleic acid amplification and reference nucleic amplification(e.g., internal standard) in quantitative PCR (qPCR). Additionally,amplification curves of the target nucleic acid and the internalstandard may be altered so time of detection of their amplificationproducts are separated, while providing the same efficiency for targetnucleic acid amplification and internal standard amplification. Throughthe use of specific combinations and ratios of oligonucleotidestructures within a reaction it is possible to create conditions whichenable tuned reaction performance.

5′ Tail Dimerization Region

The invention provides a primer having a 5′ tail region capable ofself-dimerization that enhances nucleic acid amplification reactionperformance. Without being bound to theory, in a nucleic acidamplification reaction the primer anneals to the target nucleic acid asa primer-dimer. For example, nicking amplification primers have anicking agent recognition site present at the 5′ end that is unrelatedto the binding specificity of the primer for the target recognitionsequence. Non-specific background products from non-specific primerinteractions have the potential to sequester reaction components thatwould otherwise have been utilized for the amplification of the specificproduct. In various embodiments, homodimer formation is stable (e.g., ΔGabout −30, −35, −40, −45, −50, −55, −60 kcal/mol or more). In variousembodiments, the homodimer has a melting temperature higher than theextension reaction temperature. In particular embodiments, the 5′ tailregion has a sequence that is a palindrome. In further embodiments, the5′ tail region is at least 20 bases (e.g., 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 bases) inlength. In additional embodiments, the 5′ tail region has a GC contentof 80-90%. In certain embodiments, homodimer formation is more stablethan formation of other less stable primer dimer conformations formation(e.g., ΔΔG about −12, −13, −14, −15, −16, −17, −18, −19, −20, −25, −30,−35, −40 kcal/mol or more).

In particular, a primer of the invention having a 5′ tail sequence isuseful in nicking amplification reactions. For use in nickingamplification reactions, the 5′ tail region comprises one or morenicking agent recognition sites and the 5′ tail region has asymmetrically inverted sequence. In particular embodiments, the 5′ tailregion contains an even number of nucleotides (e.g., 22, 24nucleotides). The nick site is designed to be positioned between thenucleotide at the 3′ end of the 5′ tail region and the nucleotide at the5′ end of the 3′ recognition region. Without being bound to theory, thenicking enzyme does not cleave at the nick site when the 3′ recognitionis single-stranded. However, cleavage at the nick site occurs when the3′ recognition region is double stranded (e.g., when the primer isincorporated into a double-stranded target nucleic acid molecule duringthe course of the nucleic acid amplification reaction). Exemplary 5′tail region sequences 24 nucleotides in length having a Nt.BstNBIrecognition sequence can be generated based on the following template5′-NNNNGACTCGAGTCNNNN-3′. Based on this template, there are 537,824 5′tail sequences having the following properties: ΔG=−48 Kcal/mole to −62kcal/mole; ΔΔG<−40 kcal/mole; and GC content 68% to 84%. Of these, 1050selected sequences are provided, representing 0.2% of the entiresequence space (248,832). Exemplary 5′ tail region sequences 22nucleotides in length having a Nt.BstNBI recognition sequence and basedon the following template 5′-NNNNGACTCNNNNGAGTCNNNN-3′. Based on thistemplate, there are 248,832 5′ tail sequences having the followingproperties: ΔG=−47 Kcal/mole to −55 kcal/mole; ΔΔG<−40 kcal/mole; and GCcontent 72% to 82%. Of these, 200 selected sequences are provided,representing 0.08% of the entire sequence space (248,832).

Target Nucleic Acid Molecules

Methods and compositions of the invention are useful for theamplification and/or identification of a nucleic acid molecule in a testsample. The target sequences is amplified from virtually any samplesthat comprises a nucleic acid molecule.

Exemplary test samples include body fluids (e.g. bsaliva, sweat, tears,fluids accumulating in a bodily cavity, urine, ejaculate, vaginalsecretion, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, feces, sputum, decompositionfluid, vomit, sweat, breast milk, blood, serum, and plasma), tissueextracts, culture media (e.g., a liquid in which a cell, such as apathogen cell, has been grown), environmental samples, agriculturalproducts or other foodstuffs, and their extracts, and DNA identificationtags. If desired, the sample is purified prior to inclusion in a nickingamplification reaction using any standard method typically used forisolating a nucleic acid molecule from a biological sample.

In one embodiment, primers amplify a target nucleic acid of a pathogento detect the presence of the pathogen in a sample. For environmentalapplications, test samples may include water, liquid extracts ofbuilding materials (e.g., drywall, ceiling tiles, wall board, fabrics,wall paper, and floor coverings) that may have been exposed to a subjectinfected with a pathogen, environmental swabs, or any other sample.

Applications

Target nucleic acid amplification using primers of the invention havecharacteristics useful for rapid detection of target nucleic acidmolecules. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful in humandiagnostics, where a rapid diagnostic answer is desired (e.g.,detectable amplification in under 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 minutes orless). In particular embodiments, the invention provides for the use ofa nicking amplification reaction assay in human or veterinarydiagnostics in clinical settings or in the field. In other embodiments,the invention provides for the use of nicking amplification reactionassays in diagnostic field work, where access to thermocycling equipmentis unavailable or would be prohibitively expensive. In still otherembodiments, the invention provides for the use of nicking amplificationreaction assays in a clinical setting where rapid quantitative answersare desired.

Detectable Oligonucleotide Probes

The present invention provides for the quantitative detection of targetnucleic acid molecules or amplicons thereof in a nicking amplificationreaction using non-amplifiable detectable polynucleotide probescomprising at least one polymerase-arresting molecule (e.g., nucleotidemodification or other moiety that renders the oligonucleotide capable ofbinding a target nucleic acid molecule, but incapable of supportingtemplate extension utilizing the detectable oligonucleotide probe as atarget). Without wishing to be bound by theory, the presence of one ormore moieties which does not allow polymerase progression likely causespolymerase arrest in non-nucleic acid backbone additions to theoligonucleotide or through stalling of a replicative polymerase (i.e.C3-spacer, damaged DNA bases, other spacer moiety, 2′-OMe bases). Theseconstructs thus prevent or reduce illegitimate amplification of theprobe during the course of a nicking amplification reaction. Thisdistinguishes them from conventional detection probes, which must beadded at the end of the nicking amplification reaction to prevent theiramplification.

Conventional detection probes have proven impractical for quantitating anicking amplification reaction in real time. If conventional detectionprobes are incorporated into the nicking amplification reaction, theseconventional detection probes are amplified concurrently with thetarget. The amplification of these detection molecules masks thedetection of legitimate target amplicons due to the number of startingmolecules of the detection probe at the start of the reaction.

The invention provides non-amplifiable detectable polynucleotide probethat comprise least one polymerase-arresting molecule. Apolymerase-arresting molecule of the invention includes, but is notlimited to, a nucleotide modification or other moiety that blockstemplate extension by replicative DNA polymerases, thereby preventingthe amplification of detection molecules; but can allow properhybridization or nucleotide spacing to the target molecule or amplifiedcopies of the target molecule. In one embodiment, a detectableoligonucleotide probe of the invention comprises a 3 carbon spacer(C3-spacer) that prevents or reduces the illegitimate amplification of adetection molecule.

In one embodiment, a detectable oligonucleotide probe comprises one ormore modified nucleotide bases having enhanced binding affinity to acomplementary nucleotide. Examples of modified bases include, but arenot limited to 2′ Fluoro amidites, and 2′OMe RNA amidites (alsofunctioning as a polymerase arresting molecule). Detectableoligonucleotide probes of the invention can be synthesized withdifferent colored fluorophores and may be designed to hybridize withvirtually any target sequence. In view of their remarkable specificity,a non-amplifiable detectable polynucleotide probe of the invention isused to detect a single target nucleic acid molecule in a sample, or isused in combination with detectable oligonucleotide probes each of whichbinds a different target nucleic acid molecule. Accordingly, thenon-amplifiable detectable polynucleotide probes of the invention may beused to detect one or more target nucleic acid molecules in the samereaction, allowing these targets to be quantitated simultaneously. Thepresent invention encompasses the use of such fluorophores inconjunction with the detectable oligonucleotide probes described herein.

Implementation in Hardware and/or Software

The methods described herein can be implemented on general-purpose orspecially programmed hardware or software. For example, the methods canbe implemented by a computer readable medium. Accordingly, the presentinvention also provides a software and/or a computer program productconfigured to perform the algorithms and/or methods according to anyembodiment of the present invention. It is well-known to a skilledperson in the art how to configure software which can perform thealgorithms and/or methods provided in the present invention. Thecomputer-readable medium can be non-transitory and/or tangible. Forexample, the computer readable medium can be volatile memory (e.g.,random access memory and the like) or non-volatile memory (e.g.,read-only memory, hard disks, floppy discs, magnetic tape, opticaldiscs, paper table, punch cards, and the like). The computer executableinstructions may be written in a suitable computer language orcombination of several languages. Basic computational biology methodsare described in, for example Setubal and Meidanis et al., Introductionto Computational Biology Methods (PWS Publishing Company, Boston, 1997);Salzberg, Searles, Kasif, (Ed.), Computational Methods in MolecularBiology, (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1998); Rashidi and Buehler,Bioinformatics Basics: Application in Biological Science and Medicine(CRC Press, London, 2000) and Ouelette and Bzevanis Bioinformatics: APractical Guide for Analysis of Gene and Proteins (Wiley & Sons, Inc.,2^(nd) ed., 2001).

The present invention may also make use of various computer programproducts and software for a variety of purposes, such as probe design,management of data, analysis, and instrument operation. (See, U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,593,839, 5,795,716, 5,733,729, 5,974,164, 6,066,454, 6,090,555,6,185,561, 6,188,783, 6,223,127, 6,229,911 and 6,308,170.) Additionally,the present invention may have preferred embodiments that includemethods for providing genetic information over networks such as theInternet as shown in U.S. Ser. Nos. 10/197,621, 10/063,559 (US Pub No20020183936), 10/065,856, 10/065,868, 10/328,818, 10/328,872,10/423,403, and 60/482,389.

Kits

The invention provides kits for assaying nicking enzyme and polymeraseactivity. In various embodiments, the kits include the substratemolecule of the invention. The invention also provides kits for theamplification of a nucleic acid molecule, including the substratemolecule of the invention for use as an exogenous control. Such kits areuseful for the detection or quantitation of a nucleic acid in abiological sample obtained from a subject. Kits of the present inventionmay comprise, for example, DNA polymerases, forward and reverse primers,and one or more nicking enzymes, as described herein, and a detectableprobe. Where multiple pathogen sequences are to be amplified, and thetemplates designed for those target sequences comprise the nickingenzyme sites for the same nicking enzyme, then one or two nickingenzymes may be included. Where the templates are recognized by differentnicking enzymes, more nicking enzymes may be included in the kit, suchas, for example, 3 or more.

In one aspect, the invention provides a kit for nucleic acidamplification comprising a DNA polymerase; a primary primer, a secondaryprimer, a nicking enzyme with specificity to a nicking enzyme bindingsite within the primers, and deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTP's)(e.g., in a buffered solution containing components sufficient foramplification. In various embodiments, the primary primer and secondaryprimer, each have a 3′-end specific recognition region sequencecomplementary or substantially complementary to the target sequence,where the end specific recognition region comprises one or more 2′modified nucleotides; a 5′-end tail region containing a nicking enzymebinding site upstream of the 3′-end specific recognition regionsequences that is able to dimerize with itself (e.g.,self-complementary). In particular embodiments, one or more primers arein a primer-dimer configuration (e.g., produced by heating about Tm andslow cooling).

The kits of the present invention may also comprise one or more of thecomponents in any number of separate containers, packets, tubes (e.g.,<0.2 ml, 0.2 ml, 0.6 ml, 1.5 ml, 5.0 ml, >5.0 ml), vials, microtiterplates (e.g., <96-well, 96-well, 384-well, 1536-well, >1536-well),ArrayTape, and the like, or the components may be combined in variouscombinations in such containers. In various embodiments, the kit furthercomprises a pair of primers capable of binding to and amplifying areference sequence. In particular embodiments, the kit comprises one ormore primers in a primer-dimer configuration (e.g., produced by heatingabout Tm and slow cooling). In yet other embodiments, the kit comprisesa sterile container which contains the primers; such containers can beboxes, ampules, bottles, vials, tubes, bags, pouches, blister-packs, orother suitable container form known in the art. Such containers can bemade of plastic, glass, laminated paper, metal foil, or other materialssuitable for holding nucleic acids.

The components of the kit may, for example, be present in one or morecontainers, for example, all of the components may be in one container,or, for example, the enzymes may be in a separate container from theprimers. The components may, for example, be dried (e.g., powder) or ina stable buffer (e.g., chemically stabilized, thermally stabilized). Drycomponents may, for example, be prepared by lyophilization, vacuum andcentrifugal assisted drying and/or ambient drying. In variousembodiments, the polymerase and nicking enzymes are in lyophilized formin a single container, and the primers are either lyophilized, freezedried, or in buffer, in a different container. In some embodiments, thepolymerase, nicking enzymes, and the primers are, in lyophilized form,in a single container. In other embodiments, the polymerase and thenicking enzyme may be separated into different containers.

Kits may further comprise, for example, dNTPs used in the reaction, ormodified nucleotides, cuvettes or other containers used for thereaction, or a vial of water or buffer for re-hydrating lyophilizedcomponents. The buffer used may, for example, be appropriate for bothpolymerase and nicking enzyme activity.

The kits of the present invention may also comprise instructions forperforming one or more methods described herein and/or a description ofone or more compositions or reagents described herein. Instructionsand/or descriptions may be in printed form and may be included in a kitinsert. A kit also may include a written description of an Internetlocation that provides such instructions or descriptions.

The practice of the present invention employs, unless otherwiseindicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology (includingrecombinant techniques), microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry andimmunology, which are well within the purview of the skilled artisan.Such techniques are explained fully in the literature, such as,“Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual”, second edition (Sambrook,1989); “Oligonucleotide Synthesis” (Gait, 1984); “Animal Cell Culture”(Freshney, 1987); “Methods in Enzymology” “Handbook of ExperimentalImmunology” (Weir, 1996); “Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells”(Miller and Calos, 1987); “Current Protocols in Molecular Biology”(Ausubel, 1987); “PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction”, (Mullis, 1994);“Current Protocols in Immunology” (Coligan, 1991). These techniques areapplicable to the production of the polynucleotides and polypeptides ofthe invention, and, as such, may be considered in making and practicingthe invention. Particularly useful techniques for particular embodimentswill be discussed in the sections that follow.

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinaryskill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how tomake and use the assay, screening, and therapeutic methods of theinvention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventorsregard as their invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1. A Nicking and Extension Reaction Substrate withDetectable Reporter that can be Used as an Exogenous/Internal ControlMolecule

The present invention provides a nicking and extension reactionsubstrate that is an oligonucleotide duplex having a nick site on onestrand that is 5′ to a detectable fluorescent reporter molecule that iscovalently linked at the 3′ end of the strand (FIGS. 1A and 1B). Aquencher at the 5′ end of the opposite strand prevents the reportermolecule from fluorescing (FIGS. 1A and 1B). When the substrate moleculeis nicked, the resulting internal 3′ end can be extended by polymerase,using the opposite strand as template (FIGS. 1C-1E). Polymeraseextension results in displacement of the portion of the strand linked tothe fluorescent reporter (FIG. 1E). When the fluorescent reporter isseparated from the quencher, it generates a fluorescent signal (FIG.1E). Additional improvements can be made to the substrate molecule toprevent or minimize further rounds of nicking and extension (FIG. 1F).

The reaction of the substrate molecule in the presence of a nickingenzyme and polymerase generates a linear signal, particular when the 3′ends of the oligonucleotides are blocked from further interactions (FIG.2A). The substrate molecule can be added to nicking amplificationreactions as an exogenous/internal control to show that a nicking enzymeand polymerase has activity in the reaction. The control reaction andthe nicking amplification reaction both start when nicking enzyme andpolymerase are active and run in parallel. The control reaction isdesigned to minimize the use of reaction components, thus minimizing anyeffects on the amplification reaction Advantageously, reaction endpoints for a nicking amplification reaction can be set as the time atwhich the exogenous control molecule reaches a set RFU (FIG. 2B). Forexample, this may be used to characterize an amplification signal aspositive or negative based on its time of detection.

Studies were performed on several substrate molecules having modifiednucleotides at various positions surrounding the nick site (FIG. 4). Forthese studies, the 3′ end of the oligonucleotide having the quencher wasnot blocked. The substrate molecules showed the expected reactionprofile. A fast linear response was observed at relatively highconcentrations of nicking enzyme, in most cases with maximum RFU quicklyreached in under 5 minutes (FIGS. 5A-5E and 6A-6D). In particular, thenick −1 substrate molecule having a 2′OMe at the first position 5′ ofthe nick site showed a delayed response compared to the other substratemolecules (FIG. 6C). At relatively lower concentrations of nickingenzyme, the time to maximum RFU could be extended (FIGS. 5D and 5E).

Changes were made to the length of the portion of the oligonucleotide 5′of the GAGTC nicking enzyme recognition site (FIG. 7). The top strandsA, B, C all have equivalent activities based on slope. The reactioncurve of top strand D, which has two nucleotides 5′ of the nickingenzyme recognition site, begins to change slightly. A further decreasein the reaction response is observed in top strand E, which has whichhas one nucleotide 5′ of the nicking enzyme recognition site. Noreaction was observed for top strand F, which has no nucleotides 5′ ofthe nicking enzyme recognition site. Thus, these data show full activityof the nicking enzyme, when there are three or more nucleotides to the5′ side of the GAGTC nick recognition site. The difference in activitiesprovides choice of reaction rates so that the exogenous control will becompatible with different assays.

Example 2. Tunability of the Exogenous Control Reaction

In one aspect of the invention, the exogenous control reaction can betuned, which allows customization of the exogenous control reaction tobe run under a given set of nicking amplification reaction conditions.Using different ratios of substrate molecules comprising unmodified andmodified nucleotides, the reaction rate can be controlled (FIG. 8). Thenon-modified top strand (A) was titrated with the double methoxymodified oligonucleotide (G). With added amounts of the modifiedoligonucleotide, the reaction rate (slope) was controlled, and could betuned to reach a desired threshold at a prespecified time. These resultsshow that mixtures of the exogenous control molecule can be used as a‘reaction timer’ as well as a positive reaction control.

In another aspect, the exogenous control reaction can be tuned bypositioning 2′OMe modified nucleotides at various positions within thesubstrate molecule in proximity to the nick site and nicking enzymerecognition site (FIGS. 9A and 9B). Modified top strands (A-K and DE)were used in combination with a bottom strand blocked with a C3 spacer.Relatively equivalent results with all but top strand D which is at the‘nick −1’ (last 5′ base before Nt.BstNBI nick site). Previous resultsalso showed a small effect from top strand B using less nicking enzyme.Relatively equivalent results were observed with all 2′OMe modifiednucleotides placed in the nicking recognition site (GAGTC). The mostnoticeable effect was seen when 2′OMe modified nucleotides were placedon either side of the nick site.

Example 3. Using the Nicking and Extension Reaction Substrate forAssaying Nicking Enzyme and Polymerase Activity

In one aspect of the invention, the substrate molecule can be used totest reaction conditions to determine the activities of combinations ofnicking enzymes and polymerases and characterizing their compositeactivity. Due to differences in the properties (e.g., thermalproperties) of nicking enzymes and polymerases, there is potential foroptimizing reaction conditions to maximize overall nicking and extensionreaction activity. Prior to the present invention, such an analysis wasunavailable. The modified top strand is used in conjunction with aunblocked bottom strand (unblocked 3′ end). Nicking enzyme and/orpolymerase can be tested for activity with these oligonucleotides toprovide a very controlled reaction with high replicability while stillmimicking a true amplification reaction in terms of enzyme function.Either blocked or unblocked 3′ ends can be utilized depending on thedesired readout. A study was performed showing the effect of nickingenzyme concentration on the reaction of the substrate molecule (FIG.10).

Example 4. Test Kit for Qualitative Detection of DNA from Salmonella,Including Exogenous/Internal Control

Rapid, point of need detection of Salmonella is required to effectinterventions to prevent its spread. A test kit was generated forqualitative detection of DNA from Salmonella. The detection assay isbased on an isothermal nucleic acid amplification method. The kit alsoincludes an exogenous/internal control to confirm the activities of thenicking enzyme and polymerase in each reaction. To optimize the assay alist of primers and beacon sequences was tested first. The followingprimers were used for amplification of the target nucleic acid molecule.

Forward Primers 5′-TGACTCCATATGGAGTCACATCACmCGAAATACmCmGmCmCmA-3′5′-GACTCGATATCGAGTCTTTCCACmCGAAATACmCmGmCmCmA-3′*5′-GAAAGACTCGCGAGTCTTTCCACmCGAAATACmCmGmCmCmA-3′ Reverse Primers5′-TGACTCCATATGGAGTCACATCGGmCATCATTATTATCTTTGmUmG mAmAmC-3′5′-GACTCGATATCGAGTCTTTCCGGmCATCATTATTATCTTTGmUmGm AmAmC-3′*5′-GAAAGACTCGCGAGTCTTTCCGGmCATCATTATTATCTTTGmUmGm AmAmC-3′Bases labeled with the prefix “m” indicate the position of 2′-O-methylribonucleotides.The following probe was used for detection of the target nucleic acidmolecule:

“Molecular Beacon” Detection Probe5′-CalRed_(610nm)-CGCCTGTGAACTTTATTGGCG-BHQ2-3′The duplex of the following oligonucleotides were used as an exogenousand internal control (FIG. 11):

Exogenous Control Bottom (BOT) 3 carbon spacer (C3-spacer): 5′Black Hole Quencher (BHQ)-1 GGCCCGCGCGATGCACTCCGTGGCAGTGACTCTGTAAT-c3 spacer 3′ HPLC purifiedExogenous Control Top (Topn): 5′CAGAGTCACTGCCACGGAGTGCATCGCGCGGGCC/36-FAM/ 3′ HPLC purified

The above primers and probes were tested in isothermal nucleic acidamplification reactions. Test samples were prepared from simulated petfood or enriched culture. The amplification and detection reactionsdisplayed a high signal to noise ratio, early onset of exponentialamplification, steep amplification slope, rapid time to detection, andlow signal variance among replicated assay reactions. All target controlsamples showed robust signal. The exogenous/internal control provided ameans of detecting the activity of the nicking enzyme and polymerasewhile minimizing interference with the isothermal nucleic acidamplification reactions. The assay was further tested and detected alist of over 100 Salmonella serotypes. These results indicate that theforegoing reaction and reagents can be used for rapid, accuratedetection of Salmonella.

Other Embodiments

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that variations andmodifications may be made to the invention described herein to adopt itto various usages and conditions. Such embodiments are also within thescope of the following claims.

The recitation of a listing of elements in any definition of a variableherein includes definitions of that variable as any single element orcombination (or subcombination) of listed elements. The recitation of anembodiment herein includes that embodiment as any single embodiment orin combination with any other embodiments or portions thereof.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are hereinincorporated by reference to the same extent as if each independentpatent and publication was specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A substrate for a nicking and extension reactioncomprising a nucleic acid duplex, the duplex comprising: i) a firstnucleic acid strand comprising a nicking enzyme recognition site, a nicksite, and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the 3′end; and ii) a second nucleic acid strand having a sequence capable ofduplexing with the first strand and a quencher moiety covalently linkedat the 5′ end; or i) a first nucleic acid strand comprising a nickingenzyme recognition site, a nick site, and a quencher moiety covalentlylinked at the 3′ end; and ii) a second nucleic acid strand having asequence capable of duplexing with the first strand and a fluorescentdetectable label covalently linked at the 5′ end; wherein the firstnucleic acid strand is modified at one or more nucleotides between thenicking enzyme recognition site and the nick site, within the nickingenzyme recognition site, within 2, 3, 4, or 5 nucleotides of the nicksite (5′ or 3′), and/or at position 1 on either side of the nick site(5′ and 3′).
 2. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the first nucleic acidstrand is nicked by a nicking enzyme; wherein the fluorescent detectablelabel is FAM, TET, HEX, TAMRA, JOE, or ROX; wherein the quencher moietyis a 5′ dark quencher dye with an orange-red absorbance visual spectralrange, dabcyl, dabsyl, or a dark quencher dye with an absorbance rangeacross the visible spectrum.
 3. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the 3′end of the second nucleic acid strand is modified with a C3 spacer,dideoxy nucleotide, phosphorylation, dye, fluorophore, quencher, spacer,or linker.
 4. The substrate of claim 1, wherein the one or more modifiednucleotides comprises a 2′-O-methyl, 2′-methoxyethoxy, 2′-fluoro,2′-hydroxyl (RNA), 2′-allyl, 2′-O-[2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl], 4′-thio,4′-CH₂—O-2′-bridge, 4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′-bridge, and 2′-O—(N-methylcarbamate),methylation, biotinylation, nucleotide adduct, or a base analog.
 5. Thesubstrate of claim 1, comprising one or more pairs of a fluorescentdetectable label and quencher moiety that are covalently linked onopposite nucleic acid strands and internal to the duplex.
 6. Thesubstrate of claim 1, wherein the first and second nucleic acid strandsare covalently linked.
 7. A method of detecting nicking enzyme andpolymerase activity in a reaction comprising: a) contacting a nucleicacid duplex with a nicking enzyme, wherein the nucleic acid duplex isnicked by the nicking enzyme, the duplex comprising: i) a first nucleicacid strand comprising a nicking enzyme recognition site, a nick site,and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the 3′ end; andii) a second nucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexingwith the first strand and a quencher moiety at the 5′ end; or i) a firstnucleic acid strand comprising a nicking enzyme recognition site, a nicksite, and a quencher moiety covalently linked at the 3′ end; and ii) asecond nucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexing withthe first strand and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked atthe 5′ end; wherein the first nucleic acid strand is modified at one ormore nucleotides between the nicking enzyme recognition site and thenick site, within the nicking enzyme recognition site, within 2, 3, 4,or 5 nucleotides of the nick site (5′ or 3′), and/or at position 1 oneither side of the nick site (5′ and 3′); b) contacting the nickedduplex with a polymerase in the presence of dNTPs; c) extending thenicked duplex with the polymerase, thereby displacing the portion of thefirst nucleic acid strand 3′ of the nick site covalently linked to thefluorescent detectable label or quencher moiety; and d) detecting asignal from the fluorescent detectable label that is separated from thequencher, thereby detecting nicking enzyme and polymerase activity inthe reaction.
 8. A method of amplifying a specific product in a nickingamplification reaction, the method comprising: a) contacting a targetnucleic acid molecule under substantially isothermal conditions with twoor more primers, each of which specifically binds to a target nucleicacid molecule, in the presence of a polymerase, dNTPs, a nicking enzyme,and a duplex comprising: i) a first nucleic acid strand comprising anicking enzyme recognition site, a nick site, and a fluorescentdetectable label covalently linked at the 3′ end; and ii) a secondnucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexing with thefirst strand and a quencher moiety at the 5′ end; or i) a first nucleicacid strand comprising a nicking enzyme recognition site, a nick site,and a quencher moiety covalently linked at the 3′ end; and ii) a secondnucleic acid strand having a sequence capable of duplexing with thefirst strand and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the5′ end; wherein the first nucleic acid strand is modified at one or morenucleotides between the nicking enzyme recognition site and the nicksite, within the nicking enzyme recognition site, within 2, 3, 4, or 5nucleotides of the nick site (5′ or 3′), and/or at position 1 on eitherside of the nick site (5′ and 3′); b) generating amplicons comprising atleast a portion of said target nucleic acid molecule; c) nicking theduplex and extending the duplex with the polymerase, thereby displacingthe portion of the first nucleic acid strand 3′ of the nick sitecovalently linked to the fluorescent detectable label or quenchermoiety; and d) detecting a signal from the fluorescent detectable labelthat is separated from the quencher, thereby detecting nicking enzymeand polymerase activity in the reaction.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising contacting the target nucleic acid molecule with twoor more primers in the presence of a detectable polynucleotide probe;and e) detecting a signal specific for oligonucleotide probehybridization to the target nucleic acid molecule or amplicon thereof,wherein the signal indicates the quantity of the target nucleic acidmolecule or an amplicon thereof.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein thereaction further comprises primers, probe, and/or target nucleic acidmolecules.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the nucleic acid strandshave sequences that do not bind to other nucleic acid molecules presentin the reaction.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluorescentdetectable label of the nucleic acid duplex and the fluorescentdetectable label of the probe are different.
 13. The method of claim 7,wherein the 3′ end of the second nucleic acid strand is modified with aC3 spacer, dideoxy nucleotide, phosphorylation, dye, fluorophore,quencher, spacer, or linker.
 14. The method of claim 7, wherein thenucleic acid duplex is between about 30 bp to about 2 kb in length,between about 100 bp to about 1 kb in length, between about 100 to about500 bp in length, between about 30 to about 200 bp in length, betweenabout 30 to about 60 bp in length, between about 35 to about 50 bp inlength.
 15. The method of claim 7, wherein the nucleic acid strands arebetween about 30 to about 2000 nt in length, between about 100 to about1000 nt in length, between about 100 to about 500 nt in length, betweenabout 30 to about 100 nt in length, between about 30 to about 60 nt inlength, between about 35 to about 50 nt in length.
 16. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the length of the nucleic acid strand 3′ of the nicksite is about 25 nt, about 35 nt, about 40 nt or more.
 17. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the length of the nucleic acid strand 5′ of the nicksite is 10 nt, about 15 nt, about 20 nt or more.
 18. The method of claim7, wherein the length of the nucleic acid strand 5′ of the nickingenzyme recognition site is about 10 nt, about 5 nt, about 3 nt or less.19. The method of claim 18, wherein the length of the nucleic acidstrand 5′ of the nicking enzyme recognition site is 4, 3, 2, or 1 nt.20. A kit for detecting nicking enzyme and polymerase activity in areaction, the kit comprising a substrate for a nicking and extensionreaction comprising a nucleic acid duplex, the duplex comprising: a) afirst nucleic acid strand comprising a nicking enzyme recognition site,a nick site, and a fluorescent detectable label covalently linked at the3′ end; and b) a second nucleic acid strand having a sequence capable ofduplexing with the first strand and a quencher moiety at the 5′ end; ori) a first nucleic acid strand comprising a nicking enzyme recognitionsite, a nick site, and a quencher moiety covalently linked at the 3′end; and ii) a second nucleic acid strand having a sequence capable ofduplexing with the first strand and a fluorescent detectable labelcovalently linked at the 5′ end; wherein the first nucleic acid strandis modified at one or more nucleotides between the nicking enzymerecognition site and the nick site, within the nicking enzymerecognition site, within 2, 3, 4, or 5 nucleotides of the nick site (5′or 3′), and/or at position 1 on either side of the nick site (5′ and3′).